Canlubang stops Luisita, claims crown

MANILA, Philippines — Canlubang kept its composure down the stretch and foiled Luisita’s back-to-back title drive, closing out with a 138 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club to win by four for its 11th PAL Seniors Interclub crown in Bacolod City yesterday.

Abe Rosal came away with 47 Molave points while Zaldy Villa churned out a 46-point game with either the 45 of Damasus Wong or Rolly Viray counting for the Sugar Barons, who wound up with 564 points, including a 139, also at the tough NOGCC in the first round. The Laguna-based squad scored 142 and 145 at Bacolod Golf Club in the middle rounds and dedicated its victory to Cangolf boss Luigi Yulo.

“This victory is for our boss, Luigi,” said team captain Tony Olives, referring to the team’s owner who is still recovering from illness. “We held together as a team and our scores would show.”

Luisita, which matched Cangolf’s opening 139, failed to measure up with its arch rival when it mattered most as Eddie Bagtas settled for 48 points. Demetrio Saclot added a 47 and Jingy Tuason chipped in 39 markers for a 134 and a 560.

Chino Raymundo failed to count with a 37.

“The team tried its best but our players just fell short,” said Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova. “Canlubang handled the pressure better in the last few holes and deserved to win.”

NOGCC rallied with a 137 to tie Cebu Country Club, which scored a 131, at third with 537s.

The host club drew 49 points from Edwin Ordonez, 45 from Antonio de Leon and a 43 from Chito Garcia while Carl Almario, Jufil Sato and Eric Deen scored 48, 42 and 41 points, respectively, for Cebu.

Sharing the spotlight was Del Monte, which completed its romp in the Founders division, finishing with a 137 for a 548 and a huge 24-point romp over Eagle Ridge, which made a 136 for a 524.

Raul Miñoza shot a tournament-best 54 points, equivalent to even par in stroke play, to power Del Monte while Florencio Badelic and Erning Apas added 42 and 41, respectively.